Five Famous Jailed Dissidents in China: AI Weiwei to Liu Xiaobo

Five Famous Jailed Dissidents in China: AI Weiwei to Liu Xiaobo

Article excerpt

Chinese authorities have cracked down on dissent in hopes of
preventing a popular uprising in China like those that have erupted
in the Middle East. Sweeping arrests of prominent dissidents have
been part of the campaign and have earned the Chinese government
widespread internal and international criticism. Who are some of
these activists being put behind bars?

Chinese authorities have cracked down on dissent in hopes of
preventing a popular uprising in China like those that have erupted
in the Middle East. Sweeping arrests of prominent dissidents have
been part of the campaign and have earned the Chinese government
widespread internal and international criticism. Who are some of
these activists being put behind bars?

#5 Ai Weiwei

Ai Weiwei, a Chinese artist, is internationally renowned for his
artwork and known worldwide for his public criticism of the Chinese
government. He was arrested on April 3 by Chinese authorities, and
hasn't been heard from since. Mr. Ai was one of the designers of the
Bird's Nest stadium of Beijing Olympics fame and has exhibited his
artwork, often laden with political messages, around the world.

One of his most iconic work is the collection of children's
backpacks he put on display in Munich following the 2008 Sichuan
earthquake. The backpacks were arranged to spell out "She lived
happily for seven years in the world," a quote from a mother whose
child died when her school collapsed during the earthquake. He also
helped lead an investigation into the collapses of the government-
built schools in which thousands of children died, to China's
chagrin.

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#4 Liu Xiaobo

Liu Xiaobo, the winner of the 2010 Nobel peace prize, is China's
most high profile dissident. He is best-known for his participation
in the Tiananmen Square protests and for penning Charter 08, a
document released in December 2008 calling for political change in
China. The document demanded an end to one-party authoritarian rule
and a variety of civil and human rights and was signed by thousands
of Chinese citizens. …